As one of the last few groups to arrive, we blew into the castle late at night to a most comfy atmosphere, a table filled to the brim with people and laughter, too many bottles of wine, a HUGE silver pot of the most delicious soup that had a giant ladle to match it, and it was the best way to settle right into the weekend. My second Girls weekend!
After we had a couple bowls of soup, and a few glasses of wine to catch up, we gathered our bags which we had unceremoniously dropped right inside the front door and climbed the steps up to the next 2 floors, which we would have all to ourselves for the weekend. Yep, we rented this place on Airbnb. In fact there’s a whole slew of castles for rent on Airbnb. Who would have thought?
Nothing says, “This is going to be an EPIC weekend” quite like wild boar heads on the wall.
From the moment I stepped inside I fell in love with the place. It was eccentric and there were things strewn about to give the place a most charming touch. Plus, there were all kinds of bookshelves laden with books. LOVE. IT.
O my gosh there’s a window seat, in the castle, instantly my favorite spot!
As all the girls ran about exploring nooks and crannies, choosing beds and rooms, screaming with glee, I poked my head in here and there smiling. Finally the hustling and bustling calmed down and we all adjourned to the “library” upstairs with all of the extra wine from dinner.
As the music started and games began I slipped out for a few minutes and went straight for my camera so I could take photos of our rooms before everyone jumped into bed for the night.
QUICK LET ME TAKE YOU ON A TOUR OF THE CASTLE
If you know me, then you know that one of my all time favorite movies is Pride and Prejudice. I felt like I was staying in a house similar to the one they had in the movie, and I was ecstatic.
Meanwhile upstairs, everyone was chatting it up and then we decided we were going to tell Ghost Stories. Never a good idea to get me scared out of my wits before staying in a foreign place I don’t know, because then I’ll end up in your bed freaked out the whole night.
Luckily the ghost stories were way funnier than scary. If only my dad would have been there, he was so good at scaring the living daylights out of all of us kids when I was growing up, he would have had everyone screaming.
Shortly after the ghost stories died down we decided on catch phrase and sat happy, sipping on wine and passing the hot potato around until some of the girls started nodding off and headed to bed.
Just as we were all about to go, Lisa dropped a beat and a short dance party ensued. By this point it was the wee hours of the morning and we all were ready for bed.
In the morning it was all yawns as we tried to get moving for the day. We could grab breakfast at our leisure so a few of us went outside for a short morning workout to begin the day. Plus, I was able to get a few snaps of the grounds and see what I had missed out on when I had driven down the lane in the dark the night before.
18 QUEENS ON CASTLE GROUNDS
The view of the courtyard from my room. The first view I had when I woke up the next morning.
It’s huge! Not only were there 18 of us there, the owners, a british brother and sister as well as their mom and dad stay in their own separate apartments.
In addition they have a group of kids from WWOOF— World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms who get to work for room board and food. A pretty good deal if you ask me.
They were in the process of harvesting olives. At this time in October, the grape harvesting is in full swing, so many people are busy harvesting grapes for the wines that will sit and settle over the coming months.
The grapes have just been taken off the vines but that is only the beginning. It’s not an easy thing to make wine, as most will say, its a fine art.
The perfect view to do a few morning stretches to.
Thatched roof, gives it the perfect touch.
Down in the courtyard. The front door is right behind me.
Yep, the perfect place to haul up for the afternoon, with a good book, a tasty drink, and not a care in the world.
A praying mantis on the door, the perfect sign for peace, quiet, and calm which is how I was feeling at the castle.
But alas as I said before the wineries are very busy harvesting grapes for wine so were unable to come to the castle for a wine tasting. What’s a girls weekend without a wine tasting? So after all the girls were up, had eaten breakfast, and dressed for the day, we set off in search of wine.
PODERE FORTE WINERY
We had 2 shuttles come and pick us up so nobody would have to drive and miss out, and they were waiting for us right at the bottom of the entry gate to the castle when we walked out.
Come on girls! Let’s go!
It was about a half hour ride to the winery but it didn’t feel like that long at all, the drive was so easy.
We were greeted at the door and introduced to quite a modern and newer winery, before being whisked inside.
I’ve been to a couple of wineries since living in Italy, this was definitely the most modern.
The grape processing room was huge.
Everything was in pristine condition.
The amount of wine that they hold down here in the cellar is quite vast.
This is only half as you can see. They can stack more barrels on top of the others. The harvesting is not yet complete.
Mosaic.
Bottled wine down in the cellar.
Soon the shelves will be packed.
Now its time for the tasting
With 3 different types of wine to try, there was definitely quite a few differences but they were all very good.
Afterwards we walked outside for a picture all together.
Lovely Ladies! Now we’re off to lunch at a town close by. I actually don’t know the name of it (terrible blogger, I know).
View from the winery right before we got back into the vans.
PERILLA OSTERIA FOR LUNCH
Special treatment. We had the restaurant to ourselves. Probably because they had to find a table big enough to fit 18 people in a tiny town. 🙂
The food was the chef’s choice and it was delicious. The bread was so soft and fresh. A wonderful way to start the afternoon.
After lunch, we stopped into a few shops to look at baubles and buy wine.
Every small town has a church.
You may not believe it, but this was the wine storage cellar where they come to get more wine when they sell out at the shop. We had to bust in here for extra bottles, we did have 18 women and the majority bought a few bottles cases of wine, each.
After lunch finished and the wine was loaded into the back of the van, one group went on to the next winery and the rest of us headed back to the castle to enjoy the afternoon hanging out.
The dining hall during the day with all the light inside the room.
Falling even more in love. Alexander and his sister actually opened a different castle before this, which was very large. This one had been abandoned and they decided to fix it up and move in. They hold wedding’s and all sorts of events here.
I headed to the exact spot I had eyed earlier, to work on a few projects.
Peace.
What all can be done in one afternoon you ask? Why whatever accomplished women can dream up. Piano playing, stroll about the castle grounds, browsing the books in the library, swinging, drinking wine. We were most definitely at our leisure.
Checking out the library during the day.
Why yes I am sitting on this ledge with the Tuscan Hills in the background.
Strolling.
An old swing, like in the secret garden!
Where did we end up you ask? Napping in the living room with a blazing fire in the hearth.
When the rest of the girls arrived back it was almost time for dinner and we had a Michelin star chef coming to make us dinner at the castle. Everyone opted for a third wine tasting from the castle vineyard, as dinner was being prepared.
Learning how they make their own wine at the castle.
Meet Mini, the resident great dane.
The dinner was wonderful, it rounded out the evening perfectly. After a 3 course meal, we retired again to the living room, but the evening was only just beginning.
PILLOW FIGHT
Here ya go. To meet every expectation, when a group of girls get together for the weekend, a pillow fight always ensues. Believe it.
This night carried on for quite some time. After the pillow fight, there’s only one possible solution to the conclusion of the evening. DANCE PARTY!
It was another late evening / early morning until the last of the ladies found their beds.
On Sunday morning I tucked into the window seat with a book I found on one of the shelves. We had a long drive back and intended to stop at a truffle festival a bit farther South of Naples so would have to hit the road early.
It was the perfect closing to a fairytale weekend in the Tuscan hills. I desperately wish to go back.
THANKS SO MUCH LISA for all the planning you did and MEGAN H for finding this lovely castle for us to stay at!
This article appeared first on The Cassey Excursion.
4 Comments
such a cool experince...I'm just wondering how is it able to have 18 women in one place over a weekend without drama :D
Easy, you just keep the wine flowing. Everyone stays happy when there is plenty of wine. :)
PILLOW FIGHT! High school memories. Adults acting like kids :)
When I read this, I feel like I am at your sleepover with you. Fabulous girly weekend away!
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